Illinois House of Representatives facts for kids

The Illinois House of Representatives is an important part of the government in the U.S. state of Illinois. It's like one half of the state's main law-making group, called the Illinois General Assembly. This group helps create and pass laws that affect everyone living in Illinois.

Understanding the Illinois House of Representatives

The Illinois House of Representatives was first created in 1818, when Illinois became a state and wrote its very first Illinois Constitution. It's known as the "lower house" because there's also an "upper house," the Illinois Senate. Both houses work together to make laws for the state.

What is the Illinois House?

The main job of the Illinois House of Representatives is to create and vote on new laws for Illinois. These laws can be about many things, like schools, roads, healthcare, or protecting the environment. If a new idea for a law comes up, it usually starts as a "bill" in either the House or the Senate.

Who Are the Representatives?

The Illinois House of Representatives has 118 members, called representatives. Each representative is elected by people living in a specific area of Illinois, called a legislative district. This means that each part of the state has someone representing its interests in the House.

Representatives serve for a two-year term. This means they are elected for two years at a time. There's no limit to how many times a person can be elected, so they can serve for many terms if the voters keep choosing them.

The Speaker's Role

The leader of the Illinois House of Representatives is called the Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives. The Speaker is chosen by the other representatives. Their job is very important because they lead the meetings, decide which bills are discussed, and make sure everything runs smoothly. They are like the captain of the team.

How Laws Are Made

When a representative has an idea for a new law, they write it down as a bill. This bill is then introduced in the House. Other representatives will discuss the bill, suggest changes, and then vote on it. If the bill gets enough votes in the House, it then moves to the Illinois Senate for their approval. If both the House and the Senate agree on the bill, it then goes to the Governor of Illinois to be signed into law.

A Look Back: History of the House

The Illinois House of Representatives has been around for a long time. It was established in 1818, the same year Illinois officially became a state. Its creation was a key part of setting up the state's government, ensuring that the people of Illinois would have a voice in how their state was run.

Why the House Matters to You

The work done by the Illinois House of Representatives directly affects your daily life. The laws they pass can decide how much money goes to your schools, how safe your roads are, or what kind of parks and natural areas are protected in Illinois. By electing representatives, people in Illinois have a say in these important decisions.